Automatic fuel pump regulator



Aug. 8; 1939 H. J. KENT 2,168,904

AUTOMATIC FUEL PUMP REGULATOR Filed Feb. 17, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 52125527" J ffiwr Aug. 8, 1939 H. J. KENT 6 AUTOMATIC FUEL PUMP REGULATOR Filed Feb. 17, 1 937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,168,904 AUTOMATIC FUEL PUMP REGULATOR Herbert J. Kent, Berkeley, Calif.

Application February 17, 1937, Serial No. 126,189

8 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in an automatic fuel pump regulator, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

It has been the custom in standard practice to regulate a steam boiler pressure by controlling the flow of oil to the burner. A diaphragm controls a valve which in turn determines the amount of steam delivered to an oil pump. A fuel pressure line leads from the pump to one side of the diaphragm for moving the diaphragm for closing the valve. The other side of the diaphragm is acted upon by a spring and the compression of the spring can be manually adjusted. In this way the quantity of fuel delivered by the pump to the burner can be automatically controlled by the amount of steam the valve permits to pass to the pump.

I have found that an automatic control of the steam valve solely by maintaining the oil pressure at a constant point is not sufficient to keep the steam in the boiler at a constant pressure under actual working conditions. When large quantities of steam are suddenly withdrawn from the boiler, the steam valve does not immediately open to permit a larger quantity of steam to speed up the operation of the fuel pump. If on the other hand, a drain of steam from the boiler is suddenly stopped so that the steam pressure in the boiler will quickly rise, there is no immediate closing of the steam valve to reduce the speed of the fuel pump and the amount of fuel delivered to the burner.

I therefore provide novel means actuated by the pressure of steam in the boiler for acting on the steam valve in conjunction with the oil pressure means so that the valve will be extremely sensitive to changes in oil or steam pressure. The means actuated by the steam pressure may be manually adjusted to respond to any desired steam pressure so that the steam valve will be automatically opened when the pressure drops below this point and closed when the steam pressure rises above this point. In actual operation, the steam valve will vary its position imperceptibly because of its instantaneous response to slight changes in either steam or oil pressure. The result will be a steam pressure in the boiler kept constantly at the point desired regardless of the amounts of steam withdrawn from the boiler under operating conditions and regardless of the variations in oil pressure.

Another point of novelty in the device is the readiness with which the steam pressure controlled mechanism for operating the steam control valve may be coupled to or uncoupled from this valve at the will of the operator. This permits the oil pressure regulator to be used by itself when starting the boilers, and after sufficient steam has been generated, the steam pressure regulator may be coupled with the first regulator so that both will act on the valve.

The device is simple in construction and is durable and efficient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section through the device, portions being shown in elevation;

Figure 2 is a section along the line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view at right angles to Figure 1,

the valve being shown in section.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a double ported main valve indicated generally at l. The valve casing has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3 communicating with each other through open- The cage H has a base l2 threaded into the case l6, walls 13 extending upwardly from the base, and a ring [4 forming the bottom portion of a diaphragm holding casing Hi. The upper portion of the casing l5 consists of a top cover 66 with a centrally disposed union i! and a diaphragm stop IS. A diaphragm i9 is placed between the ring l4 and top cover iii-and bolts 23 secure the parts together.

A top yoke 2i normally rests on the base l2 and carries a bottom spring seat 22 through which the valve stemt extends. A coil spring 23 bears against the seat 22 and holds an upper spring seat 24 against the button 9. It will be seen that the spring 23 exerts a predetermined force against the underside of the diaphragm l9 and ,50

ing the compression of the spring 23.' This means comprises a hollow top adjusting screw 25 through which the valve stem 8 extends. The screw is threaded into the base l2 and bears against the bottom spring seat 22. An adjustment of the screw will raise or lower the seat 22 and alter the compression of the spring.

Figure 3 shows diagrammaticaly a fuel pressure line 26 extending from a fuel pump 2'! to the union It will be hereinafter described how fuel under pressure will flow from the pump 21 to a compartment A in the diaphragm casing |5 for exerting a force on the upper surface of the diaphragm.

I will now describe the valve actuating means that is controlled by steam pressure. A bottom screw case 28 is secured to the valve casing and in turn carries a bottom spring cage 29. The cage 29 consists of a ring 30 threaded to the case 28, downwardly extending walls 3| acting as a spring housing, and a ring 32 constituting the upper portion of a lower diaphragm casing 33. A bottom cover 34 comprises the other part of the casing 33, and this cover is provided with an outlet 35, a valve 36, and a diaphragm stop 31. A diaphragm 38 is placed between the ring 32 and cover 34 and is secured in place by bolts 39.

The mechanism bearing against the upper surface of the diaphragm 38 comprises a button 46 that bears directly against the diaphragm and carries a rod 4|. The rod extends through a carrying ring 42 and into a thimble 43. The thimble slides in a bore 44 in the case 28 and bears against the ring 42. A compressio'h' spring 45 is placed between the button 49 and ring 42. An adjusting screw 46 is threaded on a depending threaded portion 41 integral with the valve casing and the screw normaly abuts the thimble 43.

The rod 4| carries a pin 48 that acts against a pair of levers 49 pivoted at 58 to arms 5| (see Figure 2) that are integral with the bottom spring cage 29. Extensible links or side rods 52 connect the outer ends of the levers 49 with the outer ends of the yoke 2|. Each link 52 has an adjusting screw 53 by means of which it is altered in length. When the links 52 are lengthened, then a movement of the rod 4| will be transmitted to the yoke 2| to effect movement of the valve stem 8. When the links are shortened by the adjusting screws 53, then the valve stem 8 will only be acted upon by the diaphragm IS, the moving of the diaphragm 38 having no effect on the stem.

In Figure 3 I show the device operatively connected to a boiler. The boiler is shown diagrammatically at 54 and a steam pipe 55 leads from this to a reducing valve shown at 56. A steam line 51 connects the valve 56 with the inlet 2 of the valve A pipe 58 connects the outlet 3 of the valve with the fuel pump 21. A burner fuel line 59 leads from the pump 2'! to a burner 68. A branch steam line 6| extends from the line 55 to the valve 36, and the valve permits the steam to enter a compartment B in the lower diaphragm housing 33.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

When the burner 68 is lighted, the operator turns the adjusting screw 25 to compress the spring 23 to cause it to exert the desired force against the diaphragm l9. This determines the fuel pressure desired. The couplings 53 are turned to free the yoke 2| from the levers 49. The steam pressure is now allowed to come up in the boiler 54 to within a few pounds of maximum pressure.

The couplings 53 are now turned until the yoke 2| is lifted to fit snugly against the spring seat 22. In order not to turn the couplings too tight, it is best to adjust them with the fingers until the yoke 2| contacts with the spring seat 22, and then to turn the couplings one fourth of a turn additional by means of a wrench.

The bottom adjusting screw 46 is now moved against the thimble 43 to compress the spring 45. This will lower the rod 4! and through the pin 48, will rock the levers 49 on their pivots 58. The outer end of the levers will lift the rods 52 and the yoke 2|. This screw 46 is tightened in this manner until the yoke 2| frees the spring seat 22 sufficiently from the screw 25 to permit this screw to be slacked back with the fingers.

The entire device is now in automatic operating position. The boiler pressure is checked and if it is still rising, the bottom adjusting screw 46 is turned back a slight distance. On the other hand if the steam pressure is not high enough, the screw 46 is tightened still further. When the steam pressure remains constant, the device is in proper working condition.

Assume that various pumps and machines have been using steam from the boiler and are suddenly shut down. This will result in an increase in boiler pressure and the diaphragm 38 will lift the rod 4| and will permit the rods 52 to lower and relieve the upward pressure on the spring seat 22. This relieves the compression on the spring 23, and the fluid pressure in chamber A will force the diaphragm l3 downwardly and carry with it the valve stem 8 which will move the valve bodies 6 and 1 toward closed position. The valve I will therefore regulate the steam required to operate the fuel pump, thus slowing up the pump and maintaining the boiler at the desired steam pressure.

When the steam pressure in the boiler drops, a reverse movement of parts takes place. The compression on the spring 45 is released by the diaphragm moving downwardly due to the re duced steam pressure in the chamber B. The rod 4| is moved downwardly and through the pin 43, levers 49, rods 52 and yoke 2|, increases the compression on the spring 23. This will raise the diaphragm l9 and valve stem 8 so that the valve bodies 6 and 1 will admit more steam to the pump. The result is an increased flow of oil to the burner 68 and a raising of steam pressure in the boiler.

It will be seen that because of this instant response of the valve to variations in boiler pressure, that a minimum amount of fuel is con sumed for a given steam pressure. A saving in oil consumption therefore results. Moreover, it is impossible to overload the boilers with excessive steam. pressure since the pressure is maintained constant at all times.

The device is subjected to very little wear from use and can function indefinitely. Once the proper adjustment is made, no further attention need be given because the device will function automatically. It is not necessary to make any change in a standard fuel pump set up when installing the device. A small line leading from the main boiler to the bottom diaphragm is all that is necessary.

As a safety precaution, a plug cock (not shown) may be carried by the bottom cover 34 of the chamber B and this can be opened when the valve 36 is closed. The steam will immediately exhaust from the chamber B and the device will instantly function to stop any further steam entering the fuel pump.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

The combination with a steam boiler, a fuel pump, a burner for the boiler connected with the pump, and a steam pipe leading from the boiler to the pump, of a valve for controlling the flow of steam to the pump for regulating the flow of fuel to the burner, a diaphragm. connected to the valve, a spring connected to the diaphragm for urging the valve into open position, a fuel pressure line connected with the pump and subjecting the other side of the diaphragm to oil pressure, whereby the increasing of this pressure over the pressure of the spring will close the valve, a second spring pressed diaphragm operatively connected to the spring of the first diaphragm for increasing the compression thereof, and a steam line connected with the boiler and subjecting the other side of the second diaphragm to steam pressure, whereby an increasing of the steam pressure on the second diaphragm will rerelieve the compression on the first spring and permit the fuel pressure on the first diaphragm to move the valve toward closed position.

2. The combination with a steam boiler, a fuel pump, a burner for the boiler connected with the pump, and a steam pipe leading from the boiler to the pump, of a valve for controlling the flow of steam to the pump for regulating the flow of fuel to the burner, a diaphragm connected to the valve, a spring connected to the diaphragm for urging the valve into open position, a fuel pressure line connected with the pump and subjecting the other side of the diaphragm to oil pressure, whereby the increasing of this pressure over the pressure of the spring will close the valve, a second spring pressed diaphragm operatively connected to the spring of the first diaphragm for increasing the compression thereof, a steam line connected with the boiler and subjecting the other side of the second diaphragm to steam pressure, whereby an increasing of the steam pressure on the second diaphragm will relieve the compression on the first spring and permit the fuel pressure on the first diaphragm to move the valve toward closed position, and means in the operative connection between the two springs for disconnecting them.

3. In combination, a valve having a valve stem, a diaphragm, a spring for flexing the diaphragm and being connected to the stemfor opening the valve, means for exerting a fuel pressure against the other side of the diaphragm for compressing the spring and closing the valve, a second diaphragm, connections including a second spring disposed between the second diaphragm and first spring for increasing the compression of the first spring when the second diaphragm is flexed by the second spring, and means for exerting a steam pressure against the opposite side of the second diaphragm for balancing the spring force thereagainst and for relieving the compressive force on the first spring caused by said connections.

4. In combination, a valve having a valve stem, a diaphragm, a spring for flexing the diaphragm and being connected to the stem. for opening the valve, means for exerting a fuel pressure against the other side of the diaphragm for compressing the spring and closing the valve, a second diaphragm, connections including a second spring disposed between the second diaphragm and first spring for increasing the compression of the first spring when the second diaphragm is flexed by the second spring, and means for exerting a steam pressure against the opposite side of the second diaphragm for balancing the spring force thereagainst and for relieving the compressive force on the first spring caused by said connections, and means for disconnecting the second spring pressed diaphragm from the spring of the first diaphragm for permitting the first diaphragm only to control the valve.

5. In combination, a valve having a valve stem, a diaphragm connected to the stem, a spring bearing against one side of the diaphragm for urg ing the valve into open position, a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the diaphragm, said diaphragm being acted upon by the pressure of fluid in the chamber, a second diaphragm, a spring bearing against one side of the second diaphragm, connections between the second and first springs for increasing the compression of the first spring when the second spring moves the second diaphragm, and a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the second diaphragm, said second diaphragm being acted upon by the pressure of fluid in the second chamber.

6. In combination, a valve having a valve stem, a diaphragm connected to the stem, a spring bearing against one side of the diaphragm for urging the valve into open position, a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the diaphragm, said diaphragm being acted upon by the pressure of fluid in the chamber, a second diaphragm, a spring bearing against one side of the second diaphragm, connections between the second and first springs for increasing the compression of the first spring when the second spring moves the second diaphragm, a chamber for fluid provided' on the other side of the second diaphragm, said second diaphragm being acted upon by the pressure of fluid in the second chamber, and means for disconnecting the second spring pressed diaphragm from the spring of the first diaphragm.

7. The combination with a fuel oil pump, a steam boiler, a steam line leading from the boiler to the pump, a valve for controlling the flow of steam through the line to the pump, a stem for the valve, a spring for urging the valve into open position, a diaphragm bearing against the stem, a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the diaphragm, and a line extending from the pump to the chamber for placing the other side of the diaphragm under pressure, of a second diaphragm, a second spring bearing against the second diaphragm, connections between the second spring and first spring for compressing the first spring when the second spring expands and vice versa, a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the second diaphragm, and a steam line communicating with the second chamber and with the boiler.

8. The combination with a fuel oil pump, a steam boiler, a steam line leading from the boiler to the pump, a valve for controlling the flow of steam through the line to the pump, a stem for the valve, a spring for urging the valve into open position, a diaphragm bearing against the stem, a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the diaphragm, and a line extending from the pump to the chamber for placing the other side of the diaphragm under pressure, of a second diaphragm, a second spring bearing against the second diaphragm, connections between the second spring and first spring for compressing the first spring when the second spring expands and vice versa, a chamber for fluid provided on the other side of the second diaphragm, and a steam line communicating with the second chamber and with the boiler, and manually controlled means for increasing the compression of the springs against the diaphragm.

HERBERT J. KENT. 

